VARADARAJA PERUMAL
Why is Varadaraja Perumal temple built in an elevated position?
Varadarāja (वरदराज).—The Varadarāja temple is situated in
Sendamangalam. This temple is datable to Vijayanagara period, i.e., 16th
century. From the observation of the stylistic features, it can be
concluded that the entire structure i.e., from the garbhagṛha to the
gopura, was constructed at one time.
On elevation, this temple has upapīṭha, adhiṣṭhāna, bhitti, prastara and a
superstructure of modem times. The entire structure, including the
mukhamaṇḍapa and vāhanamaṇḍapa, is constructed over a pratibhadra-upapīṭha.
Upapīṭha: This upapīṭha has an upāna, padmaja ganti, broad gala with
galapādas and a kapota moulding. The galapādas are relieved with floral
designs, creeper scrolls etc. The surface of the kapota is decorated with
elongated lotus petals.
Adhiṣṭhāna: The adhiṣṭhāna provided to the temple is of padmakesara
variety. Though not omate, the execution of this plinth is delicate and
neat. The minute padmadalas carved are very intricate. The kumuda of this
adhiṣṭhāna is tripaṭṭa. The mouldings appear thinner than the usual
adhiṣṭhānas and the gala also is narrow.
Bhitti: The bhitti is decorated mainly with architectural motifs and no
reliefs of figural theme are noticed. The bhittipādas on the wall of the
garbhagṛha and antarala are of brahmakānta type and those on the
gūḍhamaṇḍapa wall are of the viṣṇukānta type.
Prastara: The prastara is simple in its form. The valabhi has a row of
scalloped lotus petals relieved on its surface. The kapota is the regular
quadrant shaped kapota. The vājana is decorated with the usual vyālamāla.
On plan, this temple possesses a garbhagṛha, antharala, ardhamaṇḍapa,
gūḍhamaṇḍapa and a mahāmaṇḍapa.
Hus a temple at Kanchi when built around the same time that archityecture
was followed.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF VARADHA?
2 Varadarāja (वरदराज).—Viṣṇu in Varada pose is found as a sculpture
at the temple of Lokeśvara, western pillar in the northern entrance,
northern face.—The personage with four hands, holding conch and discus,
without hesitation, can be identified with Viṣṇu. Besides, his attire and
other ornamentations also suit the personality of Viṣṇu. He is in varada,
benediction pose, to the person, dressed like a mendicant, standing there
holding a begging bowl in his hands. Although he is depicted with only two
hands, his facial features and other factors like a matted hair on the
summit of his head, no other cloth except a kaupīna to hide his privities
etc. make us identify him with Śiva.
3 Kanchipuram is an ancient and celebrated city. It was considered as
one of the seven mukti kshetras of this country. It was a place where
flourished many religions—Saivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism and Buddhism. It
was a centre of Shakti and Skanda cults. The Ghatika (University) of Kanchi
produced great scholars.
Mayurasarman of the Kadamba dynasty came here to study the Vedas. Kanchi
sent out renowned scholars to Nalanda University and also to other famous
foreign universities of Asia. Besides Jaina Kanchi on the western bank of
the Veghavad river, Kanchi proper consists of two parts—Vishnu Kanchi (the
little Kanchi) and Siva (the big) Kanchi.
Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple
Of the many temples in this large city, there are three in Vishnu
Kanchi—the Tiruvekha (or Yadyotkari) described in the Pattuppattu,
Perumbanarruppadai, one of die Ten Idylls of the Sangam age, the
Ashtabhujam and the (later known as the Varadaraja Perumal or Hastigiri)
temple, sung by Bhutattalvar, one of the three earliest Alvars, of the
early Christian era. In later Vaishnavite literature (about the 11th
century a.d.) Attiyur becomes changed into Hastigiri (the elephant hill),
in connotation of Gajendra, the devotee gaining his salvation by the Lord’s
grace. Hence the name of the deity is Varadaraja (or Arulala) Perumal.
Perhaps the deity’s name of Attiyurar stems from the tradition that the
original deity was made of the Udumbara (Atti) wood. An inscription at
Nagarjunakonda mentions the consecration of the Ashtabhujasvamin (Vishnu)
made of the Udumbara wood. It may be added that in the sacred tank called
the Ananta Saras, there is, in addition to the MTrali-mandapa in its
centre, a four-pillared mandapa with a vimana. Perhaps it is here that the
original but mutilated adi-atti Varada image is housed and preserved with
due adoration.
The first prakara is on the Hastigiri hill. It houses th the antarala, and
the two co-axial walled mandapas. The garbhagriha is a square cella housing
the mula bhera of Varadaraja Perumal—a standing figure. It has a dvitala
vimana of the sala type, called the punyakoti vimana. The garbhagriha and
the two mandapas in front have architectural features of the Middle Chola
period (11th century). At the western foot of the sanctum is the Narasimha
(Togic form) shrine, conceived in the form of a cave. The inner faces of
the walls of this shrine are covered with inscriptions; the earliest of
these is one of the period of Rajadhiraja I dated in his 32nd year (= a.d.
1050; ARE 519 of 1919). This is also the earliest inscription of this
temple. The inscription calls the presiding deity of the temple only by the
name of Tiruvattiyur Alvar.
The expansion of the temple campus and further developments took place
during the reign of Kulottunga I and his son Vikrama Chola. The second and
third prakaras and the kitchen bearing an inscription of the Chola General
and Minister, Naralokaviran, are to be assigned to this age. An inscription
of the third year of Kulottunga I (= a.d. 1073) is found on the basement of
the entrance to the second prakara. Inscriptions of the 30th, 31st and 36th
years of the same ruler on the third prakara wall refer to the construction
of the lofty stone-built prakara wall (madil) for the temple. Mention has
already been made of the kitchen of the temple having been built by the
Chola general and administrator Naralokaviran.
It was also at this time that the expansion of the temple areas of many of
the temples in Chola desa and adjoining mandalams took place, as in
Chidambaram, Sirkali, Tiruvarur, Tiruvanaikka (val) and Srirangam. This was
an age of temple cities and rapid expansion of the campus with additional
walls of enclosure.
Among the subshrines and mandapas built in this temple campus during the
Later Chola period may be mentioned:
Karimanikkap-Perumal (a.d. 1129—11th year of shrine Vikrama Chola)
Anantalvar shrine (a.d. 1212)
Abisheka mandapa (a.d. 1236)
Perun-devit-tayar (first half of the shrine 13th century a.d.).
There are eighteen inscriptions of Kulottunga III (covering the regnal
years from the third to the 37th), twentyone inscriptions of his successor
Rajaraja III (from his seventh year to his 31st year) and some of Rajendra
III.
With the weakening of central authority after the end of Kulottunga Ill’s
rule, the Chola hold over Kanchi slackened considerably. In fact even in
the last days of Kulottunga III, the Pottappi Chola chief took possession
of the city of Kanchi and the Chola king had to lead an expedition to
retake it (a.d. 1196). During the last days of the Cholas, this city became
the cock-pit of contending powers among which the more powerful were the
Hoysalas, the meteoric Kopperunjingan, the Later Pallava chief, the Telugu
Cholas from the Nellore region and the Pandyas who were rising as a new
power. A complicating political element was added to this confusion by a
lightning foray by the Muslim rulers from Delhi which resulted in an utter
collapse of government. The situation was remedied by the emergence of the
Vijayanagar empire that restored peace and order in this region and under
their long spell of peaceful governance, this temple received great
patronage. It was during this period that the later additions, like the
huge eastern gopuram, the Kalyana mandapam, and the Tulabhara and the Unjal
mandapas were raised. It was the brightest period in the history of this
temple city as well as of this temple.
K RAJARAM IRS 19924
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 18 Sept 2024 at 20:51
Subject: [iyer123] VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM-Tamilnadu-2
To: Iyer <[email protected]>
VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM-Tamilnadu-2Compiled
Continued from part 1
6 Festival and religious practises
The temple is famous for its huge umbrella used during festive occasions.
During the bhramotsavam (major festival) in Vaigasi (May/June), thousands
of people throng the temple and that increases twofold during the Garuda
Vahanam and the Ther Thiruvila, the chariot procession.
7 Atthi Varadar
Vasantha Mantapam, where Atthi Varadar is worshipped for 48 days after every
40 years.
Atthi Varadharaja Perumal (Atthi Varadar), the 3.0 metres (10 ft) deity
image, is made of the Atthi or the fig tree, and is stored in an
underground chamber inside the temple tank which is called the Anantha
Sarovaram/ Anantha Saras. It is brought out to worship for 48 days after
every 40 years.
It is worshipped in the Vasantha Mantapam, which located in the south-west
corner of the temple. The Aththi Varadar is worshipped in sleeping posture
(Kidantha Thirukkolam or Sayana Kolam) in the first 24 days, followed by
standing position (Nindra Thirukkolam) in the next 24 days.
The icon, which was the presiding deity earlier, was hidden in the 16th
century to protect from invaders; however replaced by the current stone
central icon when the wooden icon could not be traced.
In 1709, the icon was accidentally rediscovered when the temple tank was
emptied; thereafter the tradition of worshipping the deity once in 40 years
was established.
The festival was last held from 1 July to 17 Aug in 2019. The next Atthi
Varadar festival will be held in 2059.
My note-My wife and children saw the Athivaradar standing in long queue
for 4 hours in 2019.
Earlier documented dates about the rise are:
2 July 1979 12 July 1939 June 1892 Aug 1854
8 Hastigiri Rock
This is the most important temple of Kanchipuram. The entire pastime
(original story) revolves around Lord Brahma wanting to serve this deity
form of the Lord. Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is also called as Devaraja
Swamy temple. The shrine is on an elephant-shaped rock called Hastigiri.
>From that time of Satya Yuga, Lord Sri Varadaraja Perumal is one of the
most prominent deities on earth, worshiped by great acharyas.
9 Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple during His
visit to Kanchipuram in year 1511 A.D. It is here that Lord Varadaraja,
When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at Vishnu-kanchi for 2 days, He danced
and performed kirtana in ecstasy. When all the people saw Him, they were
converted into devotees of Lord Krishna.
10 Ramanujacharya
Sri Ramanujacarya resided here in Kanchipuram, and he daily worshiped Sri
Varadaraja with great love and devotion.
11 History of Golden and Silver Lizards:
Two disciples of Gautama Rishi used to fill water every day for their Guru.
One day, to their surprise, they found a lizard jumping out when they
placed the tumbler in front of their Guru. In anger, Rishi cursed them for
their carelessness and they instantly turned into lizards.
The two disciples stayed here at Kanchipuram as lizards until Indra came to
worship Varadaraja Perumal and relieved them from their curse. In memory of
this, there is a golden lizard and a silver lizard within the temple hall
just outside the Lord Varadarajan main altar.
12 Other information
There are two big gopurams – the eastern gopuram built by Krishnadeva Raya
and the western temple tower built by the Pallavas. Temple has beautiful
pavilions in the courtyard and a remarkable hundred pillared hall which has
sculptures carved on many panels depicting Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam and
pastimes of Lord Krishna. Lord Varadharaja Swamy resides in the upper floor.
The temple has a fabulous collection of ancient and precious jewellery
presented by the Vijayanagar rulers, Muslim rulers and also the English
rulers. There is a very costly necklace presented by Robert Clive of East
India Company.
Though free darshan is available to all devotees, for a special puja you
need to buy Varadharaja Perumal temple darshan tickets from the counter in
the temple complex.
Entry Fees Free Entry
Famous Pooja Brahmotsavam
Dress Code Any decent outfit
Festivals Chitirai, Vaihasi, Aani
Popular Train Routes to Kanchipuram
Tirupati to Kanchipuram Trains
Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram Trains
Bangalore to Kanchipuram Trains
Chennai to Kanchipuram Trains
Tirunelveli to Kanchipuram Trains
Popular Bus Routes to Kanchipuram
Chennai to Kanchipuram Bus
Bangalore to Kanchipuram Bus
Tirupati to Kanchipuram Bus
Trichy to Kanchipuram Bus
13 Darsan timings
Varadharaja Perumal temple darshan timing 06:00 am and 12:30 pm and again
from 03:30 pm to 08:30 pm.
14 Address
51c, Varadharaja Perumal, Sannidhi St, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501
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